Cooper vs Notre Dame Predictions and Updates

[The Double Deuce]

Friday night at NKU, Cooper and Notre Dame will play for the 9th Region Championship and the right to represent the region down at Rupp Arena in the Sweet 16.  

Since the bracket was drawn last Friday, this felt like the most likely match-up and here we are.  Cooper defeated Notre Dame 52-49 in Union earlier, but that game was played without Sophia Gibson.  

I'm going to go out on a bit of a limb and pick the PaNDAs to pull the mild upset over the three-time defending champs.  I'm taking NDA for three reasons (despite the fact I believe that Justin Holthaus is the best coach in NKY):  Cooper has no answer for Sophia Gibson, the ball pressure Megan McGraw and others can put on Noel for 32 minutes, and NDA's length on the wings making it harder to shoot over.  

Would I be shocked if Cooper wins the 4th in a row?  Obviously not.  But I will take Notre Dame 49-44 over Cooper.  

[1992Rebel]

I’ll jump in and pick the PaNDAs because…I am a fan.  I hope I don’t jinx these girls.  

I do think NDA will put a little more pressure on the shooters than Dixie did last night. They have to in order to win because the Jags really don’t have anyone that can’t drop in threes with ease. They put on an impressive show last night behind the arc. 

Whoever plays the best Defense tomorrow will get the trip to Rupp. Go Pandas!

[The Double Deuce]

39-31 Cooper.  4 minutes left in 3rd.  

[The Double Deuce]

44-37 Cooper after 3rd Q. 

Gibson and Noel leading their teams in scoring, predictably.  

[The Double Deuce]

50-45 Cooper.  5:04 left. 

[The Double Deuce]

Noel with 14 and Gibson with 16. 

[The Double Deuce]

53-45 Cooper.  

[The Double Deuce]

53-49 2:20 left.  

[The Double Deuce]

56-53 Cooper.  1:00 left

Maya Lawrie has fouled out. 

Noel and Thompson have 4 for Cooper.  

[The Double Deuce]

58-57 Cooper.  34 seconds left. 

[The Double Deuce]

60-57 Cooper

Final